Entry posted by JRRT
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[bump'd, 4/21/11. Because I wanted to. So there.]
[Wouldn't you know it: I go to add new material to this, and it tells me I've reached the limit for a blog entry. So be it. I've thus split this "dictionary" into two "volumes" (because "volume" just sounds so much more important).
In terms of describing the content of this "update": I've added around 120-130 new entries in all, in addition to modifying and revising older entries. Most of the words have to do with plants, landforms, colors, and the Matoran body. So enjoy, if you will. I know I did.]
=ll=
A Dictionary and Etymology of the Matoran Language
=l Volume I l=
As inscribed by the Scholar Ihu of the Knowledge Tower Oroko in Ko-Metru in the Great City of Metru Nui.
This record being written in the ninth century of the Golden Age of Metru Nui: the year 79908 since the Beginning and the Time of the Great Beings.
Prefatory Notes:
The organization of this dictionary is according to the order of the first letter of the Matoran word, in the sequence in which these letters appear in the Alphabet of the Matoran. Thus Volume I begins with those words which start with A and continues until L, while Volume II begins with M and continues to Z.
Each entry gives a description of the basic meaning and classification of a word, followed by a more thorough explanation of the word's usage, as well as its etymological history, form, and development. Those words whose etymologies are uncertain are labeled as such.
-A-
aan, n. being, individual [etymology uncertain; also used as the name for the letter a]
aavel¹, n. brightness, shining [Derived from the elemental word avo "elemental light"; it originates from an ancient stem modification involving the suffix -li and the reduplication of the stem vowel as a prefix, forming the hypothetical form *aavoli, eventually to aaveli, with usual vowel change of o > e and eventual loss of -i, finally becoming aavel]
aavel², adj. bright, shining, luminous [Originates as an adjectival form of the noun aavel¹ (see entry); used frequently in compounds]
aka, n. power, ability [An independent augmented form of the original element ka (see entry ka)]
akaku, n. cmpnd. the power of vision [From the elements aka "power, ability" and aku "sight, vision"]
aki, n. courage, bravery, ambition; (honorific) leader, lord [Historically a conjunction of the semantic suffix -ak, at the time meaning something like "active" or "intensified" (although now it has come to have negative connotations), and the general nounal suffix -i; basically synonomous with the term tai (see entry)]
aku, n. sight, vision
akuavo, n. sun, star; title of one of the twin suns of Metru Nui [Originates as a conjunction of the ancient elemental stem avoi "light" and the term aku "sight, vision". The word's usage as a title for one of the twin suns in the city of Metru Nui is probably historically based upon the fact that vision is given through light (as in the light of the eyes of the Matoran), and more colloquially upon the idea that the twin suns somehow represent the "eyes of Mata Nui", an idea which is afforded very little credence by the educated community]
akuhii, n. lit. things of sight; eye(s) [Formed from the elements aku "sight" and the suffix -hii "thing, object, place"]
amahti, n. hand, grip; lit. "thing that holds, grips" [From the modified stem (a)mat "hold, grip, contain" with addition of the suffix -hii "thing, object, place"]
amakii, n. finger; lit. "part of hand/grip" [From the modified stem (a)mat "hold, grip, contain" with addition of the suffix -ki(i) "part/piece of"]
amakii-ovo, n. cmpnd. fingertip [A compound formed from the elements amakii "finger" and -ovo "end, finish"]
apalikavo, n. cmpnd. lit. light-power in hardness; lightstone [Originates from the archaic word apali "hardness, rigidity" (see entry opoli) and the compound form kaavo "light power/energy"(from the elements ka "energy" and avo "elemental light")]
arratu, n. resonating musical instrument [From the word coinage artra (see entry) with addition of the nounal suffix -tu, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
arta, n. refuge, haven
arti, n. prison; banishment
ar(t)ra, n. echo, resonance [From a word coinage artra, based on a reversible syllable structure meant to reflect the sound of an echo; variants include eastern ardra, ardro and southern arthra, arthro]
ar(t)rau, adj. echoing, resonant [From the word coinage artra (see entry) with addition of the adjectival suffix -u]
aso, n. sand [Derived from the stem aes "sand, gravel, dirt" with addition of the suffix -o denoting a substance or physical concept; also appears as a variant form aswe with alternate suffix -we]
aso-mahri, n. cmpnd. sea-shore, beach [Formed from the elements aso "sand" and mahri "ocean, sea"; also see synonymous entry asorho]
asorho, n. beach; lit. "sand-shore" [Formed from the element aso "sand" and the suffix/prefix rho "line, edge"; also see synonymous entry aso-mahri]
aswe; see entry aso
atu, n. mind, will [etymology uncertain; it appears that the word atu may have diverged from the ancient stem maet "mind, thought" at a very early point. In meaning it refers specifically to the Will of an individual, as distinct from thought or intellect (ideas associated with the similar term metye (see entry))]
atuma, v. to think, consider [Formed from the element atu "mind, thought, will" with addition of the verbal suffix -ma]
avaku, n. sun, star; title of one of the twin suns of Metru Nui [Originates as a conjunction of the ancient elemental prefix av(o)- "light" and the term aku "sight, vision"; also see entry akuavo for further discussion of origin and usage]
avenerui, n. lightvine [Originates as a conjunction of the ancient elemental prefix av(o)- "light" and the term enerui "vine, creeper"]
avo(h), n. elemental light [Originally avoi, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefixes av- and avo-]
av(o)ta, n. (a) light, torch [From the elemental word avo "elemental light" with addition of the nounal suffix -ta, denoting a concept or thing that embodies the stem meaning]
-B-
barra, n. war, conflict
Barraki, n. cmpnd. lit. war-leader; (honorific) Warlord [From the elements barra "war, conflict" and aki "leader, lord" (see entries)]
bohye, n. vigilance, watchfulness [From the ancient stem bo "vigilance, watchfulness" with addition of the nounal suffix -hye, denoting a general universal concept; also realized simply as boh]
bora, n. watcher, guard [From the ancient stem bo "vigilance, watchfulness" with addition of the agental suffix -ra]
-D-
daika, n. note, music [Originally a compound of the ancient stem dae (an augmented form of the elemental word dei "elemental sound") and the element ka "creative power" with development of the diphthong ae > ai]
deh, n. elemental sound [Originally dei, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix de-]
dema, v. to make noise/sound (base-stem) [From the stem deh "elemental sound" (older dei) with addition of the general verbal suffix -ma]
deta, n. voice, mouth [From the elemental word deh "elemental sound" (older dei) with addition of the suffix -ta, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
detarui n. cmpnd. jaw; lit. "joint of mouth" [Composed of the elements deta "mouth" and -rui "joint" (see entry)]
dika¹, n. whistle, tune; rahi-noise, cry [A further progression from the term daika "note, music" (see entry) with development of the original diphthong ae > ai > i]
dika², n. rahi, beast [Developed from the similar dika¹, meaning "whistle" or "tune", but more importantly "rahi-noise, cry" (see entry), eventually embodying the concept of a beast or a thing that makes rahi-noises; also found as diika]
-E-
edrai, v. to control, rule (ai-stem, e-declens.) [Derived historically from the ya-stem verb terya "to influence, persuade" (see entry; originally from the obscure ancient word form ter(e)n "guidance, direction, purpose") with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned fully outward (tereya > eterai > etrai > edrai)
ehel, n. flow, course, current [Historically from elemental word gae; it derives from an ancient stem modification involving the suffix -li and the reduplication of the stem vowel as a prefix, forming the hypothetical form *agali, eventually to egeli, with usual vowel change of a > e and loss of -i, finally becoming ehel (with eventual weakening of intervocalic g)]
ekama, v. to move (something); to send (away) (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb kama "to move" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
ekurma, v. to anger, enrage (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb kurma "to rage, be angry" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
elesma, v. to listen; eavesdrop (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb lesma "to hear" (see entry) with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
emaima, v. to lift, raise (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb maima "to rise" (see entry) with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
ematya, v. to take, possess (ya-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the ya-stem matya "to master, use" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
eneh, n. stem [Derived from the ancient elemental stem nei "elemental plant-life" (modern neh)]
eneh-palnehu, n. cmpnd. bamboo, tree-trunk; lit. "woody-stem" [Composed of the noun eneh "stem" and the adjective palnehu "woody"]
enerui, n. cmpnd. vine, creeper; lit. "jointed stem" [Composed of the elements eneh "stem" and -rui "joint" (see entry)]
eterma, v. to plan, arrange (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived historically from the base-stem verb terma "to guide" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned fully outward]
ezai, v. to attack, strike at (ai-stem, e-declens.) [supplanted older archaic zya; originally from the same root zaa "violence, retribution" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward, along with the verbal suffix -ya, forming the hypothetical *ezaaya > *ezaai > ezai]
-F/PH -
fanne, n. sky; ceiling, roof
phantoka, n. cmpnd (archaic) lit. spirits of the sky; birds, flying things [From the older element phane "sky" (see modern fanne) and -tika "spirit, form, shape" with alteration of -tika to -toka in accordance with historical vowel pattern a-o-a]
-G-
gah, n. elemental water [Also has connotations of peace, purity, and serenity; Originally gae, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix ga-]
gahre, n. weight, mass, importance [From older garahye, originally from the ancient stem gar(a), with addition of the suffix -hye, denoting a generally universal concept; also attested as garye]
galinyohi, n. cmpnd. jungle; lit. "wet-forest" [Composed of the elements gal- "wet" and inyohi "forest"; also found as galinyo-wahi]
galinyo-wahi; see entry galinyohi
galno; see entry galnu
galnu, n. mud, swampy earth [Contracted from an older compound gal-onu "wet earth"; also found as a variant galno]
galonuhi n. swamp; lit. "watery earth" [Derived from the older compound gal-onu with addition of the nounal suffix -hii "thing, place"]
galonu-wahi; see entry galonuhi
garai, v. 1 (phys.) to weigh 2 (meta.) to consider, weigh, ponder [From the ancient stem gar(a) with original addition of the verbal suffix -ya (garaya > garai)]
garye; see entry gahre
gauru, adj. discordant, conflicting; separate [Probably derived from an intermediary term *gauur (elemental gah and suffix -uur, see entry guur) with adjectival suffix -u]
gea(-o), adj. blue [Originally from an augmented form of gae "elemental water" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o]
gehel, n. river, stream [Contracted from the original compound ga-ehel "flow, current of water" (see entry ehel)]
graal, n. rahi bear; Ash Bear [Originally an onomatopoeic word symbolizing the roar of the Ash Bear]
gukko, n. rahi bird species [The term is a southern dialectal form of the original word goko (still used in some dialects), which was historically gokua; goko is used to define a specific species of rahi bird, including the kahu, kewa (or goko-kahu) and taku and originates as a compound of the onomatopoeic word goh (imitating the call of the kahu subspecies) and the element kua "flying thing" (related to stem kua "free, free-flowing, flying")]
guur, n. discord, fragmentation, separation [A perversion of the elemental word gae with addition of the negative suffix -uur]
-H-
hah, adj. calm, peaceful [From the stem hah "peace, calm, safety"]
hahu, adj. calm, peaceful [From the stem hah "peace, calm, safety" with addition of the general adjectival suffix -u]
hara n. rope; flax [etymology uncertain; may be descended from a hypothetical stem *haar(a) "fiber, weave"]
harakeke, n. cmpnd. lit. "flax-bush" or "rope-bush" [Composed of the elements hara "flax, rope" and keke "bush, shrub"]
hau, adj. defending, protecting; used as the name of the Kanohi Mask of Shielding [Originates from the ancient stem haa (also attested as hoh) "protection, defense" with addition of the adjectival suffix -u, denoting an "active" or "outwardly focused" meaning]
haye, peace, security, calm [From the stem hah "peace, calm, safety" with addition of the nounal suffix -hye, denoting a universal concept]
hoi, n. shield, protecting thing [Originally hohii, from the ancient stem hoh "protection, defense" with addition of the suffix -hii "thing". Originally used in reference to the protective Kanohi shell of the Hoi Turtle, the first of which were actually Kanohi Hau (to which the word hoi is etymologically related)]
-I-
ihnenu, n. tall/high grass [Formed from a conjunction of the elements iih "high, high up" and nenu "grass"]
ihneye, n. tree [Formed from a conjunction of the elements iih "high, high up" and neye "plant"; also found as contracted forms inye, inyo (see entries)]
i(h)no; see entry ihnu
ihnu, n. hill/mound [Formed from the conjunction of the elements iih "height, high up" and (o)nu "elemental earth"; also attested as later forms ihno and ino]
iihe, n. high place; mountain-top [From the stem iih "height, high up" and the suffix -hii with alteration of -hii to -he due to the presence of preceding long i in the stem; also see related entries iiho and iiho-nuyo]
iiho, n. peak, crest [From the stem iih "height, high up" with the nounal suffix -o, denoting a physical concept; also see related entries iihe and iiho-nuyo]
iiho-nuyo, n. cmpnd. mountain peak, crest [Composed of the elements iiho "peak, crest" and nuyo "mountain"; also see related entries iihe and iiho]
iiho-yehonu, n. cmpnd. ridge [Composed of the elements iiho "peak, crest" and yehonu "slope, incline"]
iihu, n. high, far-seeing; wise, transcending (as a proper noun) [From the stem iih "height, high up" with addition of the adjectival suffix -u]
ik(i), adj. high, tall; happy [A Le-Matoran dialectal convention derived from the stem iih "high up"; also found as ikh(i) and ih(i)]
Inai(tea), n. the Red Star [From the stem inaeh "star", along with the adjectival tea-o "red, fiery"; also attested as Initeo]
ini, n. star [Historically inaeh or iniih]
inihe, n. lit. star-places, the heavens [Formed from the modified stem iniih "star" (descended from an earlier inaeh) and the suffix -hii with alteration of -hii to -he due to the presence of a preceding (historically) long i in the stem.]
inika, n. cmpnd. lit. star-energy/power, energy of a star [Formed from the elements ini "star" and ka "power, energy"]
ino-nui, n. cmpnd mountain [Composed of the noun ino "hill, mound" (from ihno) and the adjective nui "great, mighty, vast". Synonyms: (o)nuiwe, (o)nuyo]
inye n. tree [Contracted from the older ihneye "tree"; also found as a variant inyo]
inyo; see entries ihneye, inye
inyo-galnu swamp tree
inyohi n. forest, wood [A more modern term derived from the word inyo "tree" (itself contracted originally from the earlier ihneye) with addition of the nounal suffix -hii "thing, place"; also found as a variant compound inyo-wahi]
inyo-wahi; see entry inyohi
-J-
jaga, n. rahi scorpion
johve, n. subtlety, cleverness [From older jovohye, originally from the ancient stem jov(o), with addition of the suffix -hye, denoting a generally universal concept; also attested as jovye]
jota, n. detail, complexity [Originally from the ancient stem jov(o) with addition of the suffix -ta, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
jovye; see entry johve
jutma, v. to collapse, decay
-K-
ka, n. power, energy; ability, (creative) potential [Theoretically is may have developed from a form *kae; also spelled cah or ca (using the old orthographic c); also realized as aka, akha, kan, kar, kha(r ) and in very rare cases as the prefix gah- (separate from the elemental ga-)]
kaatu, n. color [Derived from a hypothetical root *kaa "energy, light, color" (related to ancient stem *kae) with addition of the abstract nounal suffix -tu]
kaatuhi, n. flower [Derived from the word kaatu "color" with addition of the suffix -hii "thing, object"]
kai, n. skill, talent, ability [An augmented form of ka "power, ability, potential" (see entry) with addition of general abstract suffix -i]
kaihe, n. Unity [Developed from the older compound form ka "energy, potential", the adjectival form yi "together, combined", and the nounal suffix -hye, denoting a universal concept; also see analogous entry kaita]
kai-o, adj. colorful [Originally from an augmented form of ka "power, energy, light" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o]
kaita, n. lit. potential combined/together; unity [Developed from the older compound form kayita, which is composed of the elements ka "energy, potential", the adjectival form yi "together, combined", and the abstract, nounal suffix -ta; also see analogous entry kaihe]
kama¹, v. to move [From the element ka "energy, potential" with addition of the general verbal suffix -ma]
kama², n. motion, speed [Originates as an abstract nounal form of the verb kama¹ (see entry)]
kan; see entry ka
kane, n. energy, passion; rahi bull [This term has come to be associated principally with the species of rahi-bull; kane "power, energy, passion" is formed of the element kan "power, energy" and the general nounal suffix -e]
Kane-ra, n. cmpnd. wild bull [used to describe the Kane-ra species of bull; it is formed of the word kane "bull" (see entry) and the term ra "wild" used here as a type of adjectival compound]
kano, n. mask [used as an alternate term for kanohi; the term kano originated as a craft-word used by those of the mask-making profession and only passed into common use after the origination of the kanoka disks, in which word it is used (see entry kanoka for further historical notes)]
kanohi, n. cmpnd. mask of power [Formed from the word nohi "face, mask" and the element ka "power, ability"]
kanoka, n. cmpnd. disk of power [The etymology of this term is rather complex. When the first of the disks of power, from which Kanohi masks are more easily forged, were created, the Scholars decided upon the term kanoka by considering the history of the word kanohi, since the two objects—disk and mask—are closely related. Kanohi comes originally from nohi, which means both "face" and "mask". And nohi, in turn, derives from its ancient form noihii, made up of the elements -hii "thing, object" and noi, the elemental word for the substance of Protodermis. The Scholars chose to form a new word—noka—from the elements noi and ka "power" to define the concept of the disks, which, in essence, utilize the power of Protodermis, and they made the further addition of the element ka to better distinguish the Disks of Power as unique. Thus, the term kanoka was formed and has since passed entirely into common use.]
kar; see entry ka
kara; see entry kharra
karahe, adj. passionate, rash, reckless; unstable [From the compound element ka-ra (ka "energy", ra "wild, untamed") and the adjectival suffix -he "having"]
karda, n. heart, core, engine [From the element kar "energy, power" (see entry ka) and the suffix -ta, denoting a concept or thing that embodies the meaning of the stem, with eventual assimilation of t > d, due to the preceding r]
kau, n. breath [From the element kau "breathing, free-flowing"]
kea, n. rahi shark
keke, n. bush, shrub [etymology uncertain]
kha(r ); see entry ka
kharma, v. to make, form [Originally from the element khar "energy, ability, potential" with addition of the verbal suffix -ma]
kharra, n. maker, builder, shaper [Formed from the element khar "energy, ability, potential" and the agental suffix -ra; also attested in a simplified form kara]
kh(i)ye, n. that/the place, thence [A grammatical function word. It originates historically from a conjunction of the suffixes -hii "place" and -hye "abstract concept", forming the hypothetical compound *hiihye, which was then later contracted and strengthened to khiye]
kini, n. temple
koh, n. elemental ice [Also has connotations of sternness, and severity, as well as silence, calm, and composure; originally koi, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix ko-]
koro, n. village, town; walled city [Originally from a stem (o)kor "wall, barrier, landform", which is derived from an older hypothetical form *kaer "hinder, repulse" under influence of a coeval stem rho(k) "boundary, ring, edge". The term has gradually shifted its meaning from "wall, barrier" to a "walled city" and thence to "village, town"; see related entry korwe]
korwe, n. wall, barrier [Originally from a stem (o)kor "wall, barrier, landform" (see entry koro for full etymology) with addition of the nounal suffix -we "substance, physical concept"]
korwe-mahri, n. cmpnd. sea cliff [Composed of elements korwe "wall, barrier[/i] and mahri "sea, ocean"]
kou adv. external, outside; around [etymology uncertain]
koyo, adj. white [Originally from an augmented form of koi "elemental ice" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o]
kraah, n. elemental shadow [Originally krae; also found as the adjectival prefix kraa-]]
kraahkan, n. cmpnd. power/energy of shadow [From the elements kraah "elemental shadow" and kan "energy, power"]
kraata, n. cmpnd the will of shadow [Formed from the elements kraah "elemental shadow" and atu "will, mind, thought", with eventual assimilation of final -u to -a]
kua, n. bird, flying thing; liberty, independence
ku-amahi, n. cmpnd. palm; lit. "mid-palm" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the form amahi, contracted from amahti "hand" (see entry)]
ku-ino, n. cmpnd valley; lit. "between hills" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the form ino "hill" a variant of ihno (see entry)]
ku-mirehe, n. cmpnd. elbow; lit. "mid-arm" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the word mirehe "arm" (see entry)]
ku-noiwe, n. cmpnd. see entry ku-noyo
ku-noyo, n. cmpnd. waist, lit. "mid-body" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the word noyo "body" (see entry); also appears as a variant form ku-noiwe]
kuta, n. knowledge
kur, n. anger, rage [A perversion of the elemental word koi with addition of the negative suffix -uur]
kurma, v. to rage, be angry (base-stem) [From the stem kur "anger, rage" with addition of the general verbal suffix -ma]
ku-warehe, n. cmpnd. knee; lit. "mid-leg" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the word warehe "leg" (see entry)]
-L-
leh, n. elemental air [Originally lei, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix le-]
ler, n. acid, poison; sickness, illness [A perversion of the elemental word lei with addition of the negative suffix -uur; also found as luur]
leru, adj. acidic [From the stem ler with addition of the general adjectival suffix -u]
lehel, n. wind, breeze, wind current [Contracted from the original compound le-ehel "flow, current of air" (see entry ehel); synonymous with the later term lehelye (see entry)]
lehelye; see entry lehel [A synonymous term for "wind, breeze" derived from lehel with the abstract nounal suffix -hye]
leo, adj. green [Originally from an augmented form of lei "elemental air" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o; also found as ly in southern dialects (with shift of diphthong eo > y]
lesma, v. to hear (base-stem) [From the verbal stem les "hear" (from lus, older lues) with addition of the general verbal suffix -ma]
lhihke, n. righteousness, virtue, honor [From the stem lhi(k) "virtue, justice" with addition of the nounal suffix -hye (lhihkye > lhihke)]
lhii, adj. virtuous, right, honorable [From the stem lhi(k) "virtue, justice" with addition of the adjectival suffix -ii; also found as hli in some compounds and as a feature of Le-Matoran dialects (see entry)]
lhikhe, n. just, fair [From the stem lhi(k) "virtue, justice" with addition of the adjectival suffix -he]
lusak, n. deafness [A more colloquial word used to describe deafness that is unnatural or was caused by something and has negative results; originates from the stem lus "hearing" (older lues) with addition of the negative suffix -ak; common southern dialect forms include lesek (with common alteration of -ak to -ek) and shorter lesk (lek in compounds or names); also see entry lusuur]
lusse, n. listening, hearing [From the stem lus "hearing" (older lues) with addition of the general abstract suffix -e]
lusta, n. ear [From the stem lus "hearing" (older lues) with addition of the suffix -ta, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
lusuur, n. deafness [From the stem lus "hearing" (older lues) with addition of the negative suffix -uur; primarily used as a scientific or medical term; also see entry lusak]
Here ends Volume I. Volume II continues with entries M-Z.
JRRT
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